For those of you not already familiar with what is really going on in the other English Language Teachers’ Associations in Spain and across the world, this section is especially intended for you to get an overall idea of all this.

The level of association among English teachers in our country and in the rest of the world is undoubtedly both highly active and well-organised. Most of those teachers who have interest in, and concerns about, their profession are members of a local group where they are working. They are thus linked into larger-scale organizations and social networks whose wide base and influence allow us to be up-to-date with, and aware of, whatever is happening in our professional sphere beyond just our local level. Being in touch with the rest of our colleagues who are attempting to improve what we do as professionals gives us some specific clout, along with an organizational ability that we would otherwise lack. If we are members of associations, even if these are just local ones, that gives a great deal of advantages, as well as first-hand information and unique opportunities for training.

The philosophy behind the grouping of associations within larger organizations such as ELTA Iberia or REAL, or under the auspices of the BRITISH COUNCIL, is to work together, not to compete. We design common strategies, trying to detect needs and deal with deficiencies; our members are kept abreast of all we do in this sense. We would therefore encourage all of you who have not yet joined an association to become members of the group your workplace. Congratulations to those who have already done so!